Bulldozer Operator Killed in Soberanes Fire in Big Sur Area

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A photo tweeted by Cal Fire on July 27, 2016, shows the Soberanes Fire.

Bulldozer Operator Killed in Soberanes Fire in Big Sur Area

A photo tweeted by Cal Fire on July 27, 2016, shows the Soberanes Fire.

As fire crews made progress controlling a deadly wildfire in Southern California on Wednesday, another blaze continued to rage along the state’s picturesque Central Coast, killing a heavy equipment operator and triggering numerous trail closures and hiker rescues in Los Padres National Forest.

The Sand and Soberanes fires, both of which erupted on Friday, tore through wildlands in Southern and Central California overnight with thousands of firefighters tackling unpredictable flames. Firefighters managed to gain 40% containment of the Sand fire, which has caused one death and destroyed 18 homes.

In Monterey County, a bulldozer operator who was called in to help battle the Soberanes fire was killed overnight, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The operator suffered fatal injuries in a remote area on the southeast end of the fire.

“Firefighting is an inherently dangerous job with great risk involved,” said Cal Fire incident commander Todd Derum. “Please keep your heartfelt thoughts and prayers with the family of our fallen cooperator and the firefighting community.”